Katie Boulter has highlighted the issues females in the public eye potentially face by speaking about her experiences.
The 28-year-old is currently the highest-ranked British player on the Tour at 24th in the world. She has won two titles in San Diego and Nottingham this season, as well as reaching the final of another event in Hong Kong. Since June, she has beaten former Grand Slam champions Emma Raducanu, Karolina Pliskova, Jelena Ostapenko and Bianca Andreescu.
Boulter’s success has elevated her profile which has made her more of a recognisable figure. However, this hasn’t shielded her from being in some worrying situations.
“People have followed me at times,” Boulter revealed during an interview with The Guardian. “I actually went to go and pick up Alex [de Minaur, her boyfriend] from Queens, and I had someone follow me in the car. We went to Sloane Square, got out, went for a walk around the shops and stuff and the same car was following me home. I was with Alex, so it was absolutely fine, but yeah, it wasn’t the best feeling.”
The Brit explains her experiences in such situations are something that many women can relate to. In 2022, a man was issued with a restraining order for turning up at Emma Raducanu’s house multiple times.
One particular incident involving Boulter took place at the Nottingham Open, which she has won twice so far in her career. On one occasion, she received a message on social media from somebody saying they would ‘hurt’ her if she went outside the venue. Soon after, it was found that the person who sent the message was on-site at the tournament.
“One time in Nottingham, I had someone messaging me on social media saying: ‘I’m outside. I’m going to hurt you if you come outside.’ Obviously I alerted the WTA, and they found the guy, who was actually on site.” She said.
“Things like this happen all the time. Obviously we are very well protected, which makes you feel safe. The WTA does a great job of being there for you with that. I do feel like we are protected as much as possible, which at least puts your mind at ease a little bit.”
On the court, Boulter is hoping to reach new milestones in the new season with a place in the top 20 in sight.
“My aim is to get my ranking up. I’m not looking at a small spectrum. I need to beat the best tennis players in the world, which are going to be top 10. I have to start aiming extremely high, if that’s what I want. Big things.” She outlined.
“I will be striving for a lot higher, we as a team have got to be ambitious. I think that’s what urges me on. I want to go all in, put all my chips in.”
Boulter is one of three British women in the WTA top 100 along with Raducanu and Sonay Kartel.
